A slot machine includes a rotatable reel which is cylindrical shaped. The reel is provided with a first display portion on a side surface and with a second display portion on a periphery. In performing a first game, the side surface is so perpendicular that the first display portion may be observable. In performing a second game, the periphery is so horizontal that the second display portion may be observable.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A symbol display device for a game machine, comprising: a display member having a first display portion for a first game and a second display portion for a second game, said first and second display portions having first symbols and second symbols respectively; a rotation drive means for rotating and stopping said display member in performing said first game and said second game; and a display shift means for shifting said display member between a first display position and a second display position, said first display portion being observable in said first display position, and said second display portion being observable in said second display position.
2. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said display member has a cylindrical reel, and a side surface of said reel is said first display portion and a periphery of said reel is said second display portion, and said reel is rotated around a center of said side surface.
3. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said side surface is perpendicular in the first display position, and said side surface is horizontal in the second display position.
4. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a transparent reel cover covering at least a part of said reel, said reel cover being provided with a first pointer and a second pointer, said first pointer capable of pointing to one of said first symbols when said reel is in said first position, said second pointer capable of pointing to one of in said second symbols when said reel is in said second position.
5. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said reel cover shifts with said reel between said first position and said second position.
6. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 5 , said rotation drive means comprising: a first motor for rotating said reel; and a bracket for keeping said first motor swingable.
7. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a cross section of said reel has a channel shape, and said reel covers said bracket in said second display position.
8. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said display shift means includes a second motor for swinging said first motor in said bracket.
9. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said first and second motors are stepping motors.
10. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second game is performed when predetermined conditions are filled in said first game.
11. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said symbol display device is used in a slot machine, and said first game and said second game is performed after a slot game.
12. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first game and said second game are independently performed.
13. A symbol display device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said first symbols and said second symbols are not same.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 24, 2002
April 6, 2004
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